PASCACK VALLEY AREA, N.J.—Holly Schepisi took the oath of office March 25 to become the new senator for New Jersey’s 39th Legislative District. She is the first Republican female Senator from Bergen County and the first female ever to represent District 39 in the Legislature.
“It’s an honor to continue serving the people of Bergen and Passaic counties in my new role in the New Jersey Senate,” said Schepisi. “I’ll do my best to build upon Sen. Cardinale’s legacy and continue the fight for affordability and opportunity for all of our constituents.”
Schepisi was selected to fill the remainder of the term of Sen. Gerry Cardinale following his passing last month.
Prior to joining the Senate, Schepisi represented the 39th District for nine years in the General Assembly where she served as Deputy Republican Leader.
In the Senate, she will serve on the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee and the Labor Committee.
“As a working mother and a small business owner, I understand the many difficulties our families have faced during the pandemic,” Schepisi added. “After an unbelievably tough year, we have a lot of important work to do to get New Jersey back on track. I’m excited, ready, and looking forward to the opportunity.”
The 39th Legislative District includes 20 municipalities in Bergen County and three municipalities in Passaic County.
Schepisi earned bachelor’s degrees in politics and psychology in 1993 from Catholic University of America and a law degree from Fordham University Law School in 1997.
She is a practicing attorney and started her own firm, Schepisi Consulting & Law, LLC. Most recently, she served as vice president of Holy Name Medical Center and president of its Foundation. Prior to her role at Holy Name, she was special counsel at Huntington Bailey LLP, where she practiced governmental law, corporate law, land use law, employment matters, criminal defense, and structured finance law.
Experienced in public issues, she served as the public defender for the Borough of Oakland from 2012 to 2014, and was the township attorney for River Vale from 2007 to 2011.
She is a board member of the Bergen Community College Foundation and serves as an advisory board member of SB One Bank.
She resides in River Vale with her husband and two children.